THE RHINOCEROS IN PURSUIT
Running on in desperation he stumbled, and had given himself up for lost when he was conscious of a diversion. A dark form, running with extraordinary speed, dashed obliquely towards him, and buried a spear deep in the animals' side. It turned savagely to deal with this new assailant, who had darted off at an angle. For a few yards the rhinoceros followed him, then it staggered, made a vain effort to recover itself, and fell a huge heap upon the ground.
The negro rushed back, plucked out his spear, and driving it again into the quivering beast dealt it a death-blow. Challis went up to him. Umgabaloo fell on his knees.
"I was right," thought Challis, glowing with pleasure. "Any one who says that the negro knows no gratitude lies."
Meanwhile the column had scattered far and wide to escape the second rhinoceros, which had apparently taken fright at the number of men, and had now disappeared. It was an hour before the negroes were collected and the march resumed.
CHAPTER XXVI
DISASTER
The capture of Goruba cheered the whole garrison of the fort. Curiously enough, it was rather as the evening visitor who disturbed them than as the leader of the besiegers that the negroes regarded him. No longer would they be worried by the mysterious intruder.
Kulana had, of course, told them about the hole in the wall of the well. They were eager to see for themselves the passage through which the giant had come, but Royce had forbidden that for the present.